Delaware

Delaware Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to Delaware hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026 season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $39.50 General hunting

Non-Resident License $199.50 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1967-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026

LICENSE FEES

Delaware Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026.

Resident Licenses

Resident Hunting (16-64) $39.50 —

Resident Junior Hunting (13-15) $5 —

Resident Senior (65+) Free —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Hunting (16+) — $199.50

Non-Resident Junior Hunting (13-15) — $50

Non-Resident 3-Day Small Game (16+) — $75

Tags & Permits

Deer (Res Hunter's Choice + Quality Buck Combo) $20 Free

Deer (NR Quality Buck Tag) Free $50

Deer (NR Antlered Tag) Free $50

Deer (Additional Antlerless) $20 $20

Turkey Free Free

Endorsements & Stamps

Delaware Waterfowl Stamp $15 Required for waterfowl 16+; +$1 agent fee; seniors 65+ exempt

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30; available at post offices

HIP Certification Free Free; required for all migratory bird hunters

State Wildlife Area Blind/Stand Permit $20 Required for assigned deer stands and waterfowl blinds on public WMAs

Turkey Hunting Course Free Free course; required before hunting turkey in DE

PURCHASE

How to Buy a Delaware Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit Digital DNREC licensing portal. Create account or sign in. Select hunting license ($39.50 res / $199.50 NR). Purchase deer tags (combo $20 res / $50+$50 NR). Add Waterfowl Stamp ($15) if waterfowl hunting. Complete free turkey hunting course if turkey hunting. Pay online; print license and tags

Buy In Person

Authorized license agents statewide, Walmart stores, DNREC office in Dover

Buy By Phone

Call 302-739-9910. $2.50 agent fee

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your Delaware hunting license is online through the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in Delaware

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1967

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 10 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in Delaware?

Youth (Under 13) Free No license needed; must hunt with licensed adult within arm's reach

Youth (13-15) $5 res / $50 NR Junior hunting with adult supervision

Senior (65+) Free Free hunting license + free waterfowl stamp for DE residents 65+

Disabled Veteran Free Disabled veterans with documentation receive free licenses

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in DE pay resident rates $39.50

Landowner No license on own land DE resident landowners may hunt own property without license; tags still needed

SEASONS

Delaware Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

White-tailed Deer Archery Sep 1 – Jan 31 Bow and crossbow; 5-month season — longest in DE

White-tailed Deer Muzzleloader (Early) Oct 18 – Oct 25 Muzzleloader only

White-tailed Deer Shotgun Nov 14 – Nov 22 Shotgun slugs only; no rifles in DE

White-tailed Deer Late Muzzleloader/Shotgun Jan-Feb – Varies Muzzleloader or shotgun; antlerless only

Turkey Spring Apr 11 – May 9 Shotgun, bow; special turkey course required

Turkey Fall Oct-Nov – Varies Shotgun, bow; limited

Dove Regular Sep 1 – Jan 15 Shotgun; 3 seasonal splits

Quail Regular Nov 15 – Jan 31 Shotgun; declining wild population

Pheasant (Stocked) Regular Nov 1 – Jan 31 Shotgun; DNREC stocks public WMAs

Rabbit Regular Nov 15 – Feb 15 Shotgun; cottontail

Squirrel Regular Sep 1 – Feb 28 Shotgun, .22 rifle

Woodcock Regular Oct-Nov – Varies Shotgun; HIP required

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct-Jan – Zone-specific Shotgun (non-toxic); DE waterfowl stamp + federal stamp

Snow Goose Conservation Order Feb-Mar – Varies Shotgun; no bag limit during conservation season

Coyote Year-Round Jan 1 – Dec 31 Any legal weapon; no limit

BAG LIMITS

Delaware Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

White-tailed Deer 1 Per tags purchased Quality Buck (15"+ spread), antlered, antlerless tags separate; no rifles

Turkey (Spring) 1 1 1 bearded turkey per year; special course required

Dove 15 No season limit Mourning and white-winged; 3 seasonal splits

Quail 6 No season limit Bobwhite; declining — check area closures

Pheasant 2 No season limit Roosters; DNREC stocks public areas

Rabbit 4 No season limit Cottontail

Squirrel 5 No season limit Gray and fox squirrel

Duck 6 No season limit Species-specific limits; DE Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp required

COMPARE

How Delaware Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

Delaware $39.50 $199.50

Maryland $35 $160 Pennsylvania $20.97 $101.97 New Jersey $27.50 $135.50

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in Delaware?

Resident: $39.50 + $2.50 agent fee ($42 total). NR: $199.50. Junior: $5/$50. NR 3-day small game: $75. Free for DE residents 65+. Must have 1-year DE residency for resident rates.

Can you use a rifle for deer in Delaware?

No — DE bans rifles for deer hunting. Shotgun slugs, muzzleloaders, and archery/crossbow only. Similar to neighboring MD and NJ. This is due to Delaware's flat terrain and population density.

How long is the archery season?

Sep 1 – Jan 31 — 5 months and the longest season in DE. Crossbows legal throughout. No separate archery stamp needed beyond hunting license and deer tag. Great opportunity in the Second State.

What is Quality Buck tagging?

Delaware's Quality Buck tag requires bucks to have ≥15" inside antler spread. This program promotes trophy management. Resident combo ($20) includes Hunter's Choice + Quality Buck. NR Quality Buck is $50 separate.

Do I need the Waterfowl Stamp?

Yes — DE Waterfowl Stamp ($15) + Federal Duck Stamp ($25) required for waterfowl 16+. Seniors 65+ are exempt from the DE stamp. HIP certification also required. Total cost for waterfowl: $40 in stamps.

Is turkey hunting available?

Yes — spring season Apr 11 – May 9 (1 bearded gobbler per year). Special free turkey hunting course required. Public land may have lottery permits. Growing turkey population in DE.

Do seniors hunt free?

Yes — DE residents 65+ get free hunting license AND free waterfowl stamp. Must register annually. Disabled veterans also get free licenses. One of the best senior programs in the mid-Atlantic.

Can I buy a Delaware license online?

Yes, through Digital DNREC at dnrec.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/licenses. Skip agent fees online. Also at authorized agents, Walmart, and DNREC office in Dover.